Lanesboro Arts is pleased to launch the Rural Arts Production Training Program! Participants will be trained by experienced performing arts production technicians through a series of workshops including stage management, audio production, and basic lighting control and design.

The program will train up to 8 rural southeast Minnesotan participants from Fillmore or Houston Counties through tangible, direct learning with professional production technicians. The participants will also serve as a peer network to provide support and resources throughout the course of the training program and beyond. Those interested in training with this program should apply through the form below, as well as including a resume and cover letter explaining why they want to pursue this training.

The four workshops in this program will focus on audio production basics, basic lighting control and design, stage management and best practices, and will be taught by professional production technicians from Northern Sun Productions. Each workshop will be held in Lanesboro’s St. Mane Theatre, utilizing a wide variety of state of the art equipment. Over the course of these workshops, the program participants will spend quality time with each teaching production artist learning their craft, as well as have ample time to work hands-on in a professional theater setting.

The program was designed to meet a regional need for more qualified production services for rural performing arts, and was planned in coordination with Lanesboro Arts staff and Northern Sun Productions (Rochester, MN). Northern Sun Productions produces high quality concerts, festivals, and private/corporate events across the Upper Midwest. Their group of professional staff assist in every aspect of production from planning and advancing to the day of event skilled labor. They have an impressive top-tier inventory of live audio sound reinforcement equipment, modular staging, stage lighting, mobile stages, LED video panels, and more.

Workshop Schedule:

• Sat, Oct 19, 10 am – 4 pm: Training Session #1
• Fri, Oct 25, 4 – 8 pm: Training Session #2
• Fri, Nov 8, 4 – 8 pm: Training Session #3
• Sat, Jan 4, 2 – 8 pm: Training Capstone & Performance

How to Apply:

The application is now closed. Applicants have been notified of the status of their application. Applicants were asked to include a resume and cover letter stating why they want to pursue this training. Nine individuals were selected from the application pool by Lanesboro Arts staff and Northern Sun Production staff. Each participant is expected to attend all of the workshop sessions to complete the training, and will receive at $50 stipend per workshop attended.

Applications were due Friday, August 16th, 2024 at 11:59 pm. All applications will be reviewed by Lanesboro Arts and Northern Sun Production staff, and all applicants will be notified by Friday, August 30th. Any questions can be directed to melissa@lanesboroarts.org

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund.